Homeless legislators on hunt for shelter

AMIT BHELARI

Patna, Jan. 16: Legislators are on a house hunt these days to seek temporary addresses before they can move into the sprawling bungalows coming up for them.

For some of them, a flat in the Bahadurpur Housing Colony is an option. Motihari BJP MLA Pramod Kumar said: “It is difficult to find a house to accommodate a legislator. I have written letter to the urban development department principal secretary S. Siddharth and requested him to allocate a flat at the Bahadurpur Housing Colony. A four-roomed flat at the colony would be sufficient for me and my staff.”

Pramod, currently residing in a bungalow on Beerchand Patel Marg said: “In the letter, I have mentioned that the department can take the house rent of Rs 22,000 and Rs 6,000 for electricity and other allowances, which the government provides us. By the time the duplex bungalows come up, we can be accommodated there.” He added that the same letter would be sent to chief minister Nitish Kumar for his nod.

Izhar Ahmad, the JD(U) MLA from Gaura Bauram Assembly, who has a bungalow at R-Block, expressed disappointment and said: “Yes, it is difficult for us to find a house. MLAs need space for security guards and the drivers. How would we accommodate so many persons in a private house. Hundreds of people come to meet us daily, where will they sit?”

BJP MLA from Ramnagar Assembly seat, Bhagirathi Devi, too, is searching for a house. “I have contacted many people as I have to vacate my present bungalow very soon. I have also asked my employees to keep searching for proper accommodation so that everything can fall in place. But I am not sure whether I will get such house or not,” said Bhagirathi.